Beware of A Fake Security Alert From Apple: How to Spot Scams and Stay Protected

Have you ever been using your iPhone when a pop-up tells you your device has a virus? Or maybe you’ve gotten an email saying your Apple ID is compromised?

You’re not alone. Fake security alerts have been on the rise, targeting Apple devices.

These very convincing scams can trick you into sharing personal and financial information that will compromise your security.

But here’s the truth: Apple never sends virus warnings to your iPhone or iPad. These scary messages are scams that trick you into downloading malicious apps or sharing personal info.

In this article, we’ll show you how to spot a fake Apple security alert and what to do if you get one.

What is an Apple Security Alert Scam?

An Apple Security Alert scam involves scammers creating fake security messages to make you think your device is in danger.

These scams appear as pop-ups, emails, or even phone calls claiming your iPhone, iPad, or Apple ID has been hacked. They look and sound authentic, using phrases like “A virus has been detected on your iPhone” or “Your Apple ID has been compromised” to scare you.

Fig 1. Fake Apple virus warning.

These fake Apple security warnings encourage you to compromise your security by downloading malicious software or sharing your passwords and credit card information.

Remember, Apple never sends virus alerts or unsolicited security warnings. Real Apple security notifications are handled differently through your device’s settings or official Apple support channels. We’ll discuss this in more detail in a later section.

Common Fake Apple Security Alerts

Let’s explore some of the most common types of fake Apple security alerts:

1. Fake virus warning pop-ups

Fig 2. Another fake Apple virus warning.

These pop-ups typically appear while browsing the web and, at first glance, look like a system notification.

For instance, you might see a message like, “A virus has been detected on your iPhone. Tap here to remove it.” These alerts create a sense of urgency and make it seem like your device is in danger.

Tapping on one of these alerts can have serious consequences. It often leads to installing malicious apps or redirecting you to phishing websites designed to steal your personal information. The best thing to do is close the pop-up and not interact with it.

2. Phishing emails claiming to be from Apple

Fig 3. Fake Apple phishing email. Source: discussions.apple.com

Scammers send emails that look like they’re from Apple, with official logos, formatting, and email addresses that seem legit.

They will usually use urgent language, such as “Your Apple ID has been compromised. Click here to reset your password,” to try to get you to act quickly without thinking.

Once you click those links, they take you to fake websites that capture your Apple ID, password, or other sensitive information.

To stay safe, remember that Apple will never ask for personal information through email links.

If you get an “Apple security warning” via email, don’t click on any links. Instead, go directly to Apple’s official website to check for account issues.

3. Fake Support Calls

Scam calls impersonating Apple are also common. Scammers may also use fake caller IDs to make it look more legit, with messages like “Apple Support has detected suspicious activity on your account. Call us now.”

During these calls, scammers will ask you to provide personal data or grant access to your device to fix the “issue.”

Keep in mind that Apple will never call you out of the blue with a warning like that. If you get an unsolicited call or text claiming to be from Apple, just ignore it or hang up.

Contact Apple support if you are concerned about your account.

How to Identify A Fake Apple Security Alert

Spotting a fake Apple security alert can be challenging, as scammers use a variety of tactics to make their warnings look convincing.

However, there are a few red flags that can help you distinguish a scam from a genuine security alert:

🚩 Urgency and fear tactics

As we mentioned above, scammers often use scare tactics to pressure you into taking immediate action. They may claim that your device is “infected with a virus” or that your “Apple ID has been compromised.”

Some alerts might even display fake countdown timers, insisting that your data is at risk unless you act soon. Legitimate companies like Apple do not demand instant action without giving you time to think.

🚩 Generic greetings

Genuine messages from Apple will typically address you by your name. In contrast, fake alerts often use generic terms like “Dear Customer” or “User.” If you receive a message that doesn’t specifically address you, consider it a red flag.

🚩 Unusual links and redirects

Scammers frequently include links that appear legitimate but lead to malicious websites. Before clicking on any link, hover over it or tap and hold to see the URL.

If it looks suspicious, doesn’t match the text shown, or isn’t related to Apple, don’t click it.

Additionally, if you’re being unexpectedly redirected to strange websites while browsing, it could be a sign of browser hijacker malware.

🚩 Requests to call a technical support number

Scam alerts may instruct you to call a technical support number immediately. Real technical support calls are usually the last step in troubleshooting, not the first.

Be wary of any message urging you to call a strange number. Always double-check the phone number on Apple’s official website to verify its authenticity.

🚩 Payment requests

Apple will never request payment through a security notification. Scammers may create fake pop-up alerts or emails that present a crisis and then offer a solution requiring payment.

Be especially cautious if the payment request involves nontraditional methods like payment apps (Zelle, Venmo, or Cash App), gift cards, or wire transfers. If a security alert demands money, it’s a scam.

🚩 Constant pop-ups

If your device is flooded with pop-ups, it could be a sign of malware or a potentially unwanted program (PUP). If you see repeated security notification pop-ups that persistently return after closing them, it’s likely a scam.

🚩 Requests to share personal data

Scammers aim to steal personal data like passwords, Social Security numbers, or credit card information.

Genuine security alerts will never ask you to share sensitive information directly. If you receive a notification, email, or phone call asking for personal data, immediately disengage, block, and report the incident.

🚩 Strange Device Behavior

If your iPhone starts acting unusually — running slowly, crashing, overheating, or using too much power — it could be a sign of malware or an attempted hack.

Malware infections can run in the background, consuming resources and causing erratic behavior. Trust your instincts; run a trusted anti-malware program to check your device if something feels off.

🚩 Changes to browser or device settings

Certain malware and malicious extensions can change your browser settings or device behavior without authorization.

If your default browser changes unexpectedly or your settings are altered without input, it could be a sign of an attack. This can also lead to fake security alerts appearing more frequently.

🚩 Multiple Phishing Attempts

When scammers target you, they often use multiple tactics to steal your information. If you receive several unsolicited emails, phone calls, or messages prompting you to take action, fake virus alerts are likely part of a broader phishing attack.

Genuine Apple Security Alerts

While many security alerts claiming to be from Apple are scams, Apple does send legitimate security warnings to inform users about potential threats.

Apple threat notifications

If Apple suspects that your device has been targeted by sophisticated spyware like Pegasus, they will take immediate action to alert you. Here’s how:

• Apple threat notification: When Apple detects activity consistent with a mercenary spyware attack, it will show a threat notification at the top of the page when you sign in to your Apple ID. This alert is only visible to the affected user and contains information on the threat and what to do next.

Fig 4. Apple account showing a threat notification. Source: support.apple.com

• Email and iMessage notifications: In addition to the online alert, Apple will send a detailed notification to the email addresses and phone numbers associated with a user’s Apple ID.

Apple’s Data Leak Notifications

Fig 5. Comprised Password warning on iPhone. Source: Reddit.com

If your passwords appear in a data leak, Apple will notify you through a built-in feature in iOS and macOS called “Security Recommendations.” This notification will suggest that you change your compromised passwords.

These alerts usually appear as a standard iOS push notification and if tapped, will guide you through the steps to protect your information.

Steps to Take if You Encounter a Fake Apple Security Alert

✅ Scan your iPhone for malware with Certo AntiSpy

Many fake security alerts come from malware or adware hidden in your Apple device. To stop these pop-up scams, it’s important to find and remove the malware causing the issue.

The best way to do this is to use a reliable anti-malware app like Certo AntiSpy.

Here’s how to scan your Apple device for malware with Certo AntiSpy:

1. Download and install Certo AntiSpy to your computer.
2. Use a USB cable to connect your iOS device to your computer.
3. Open the Certo AntiSpy application on your computer. The software should automatically detect your connected iPhone or iPad.
4. Click Scan to start scanning your iPhone or iPad for any signs of spyware, malware, and other potential threats lurking on your device.

Fig 6. Detecting malware on an iPhone with Certo AntiSpy.

✅ Check suspicious browser extensions

Unwanted browser extensions can redirect you to harmful websites filled with pop-ups or even generate those fake security alerts themselves. If you suspect you have suspicious extensions, you should remove them immediately.

How to remove suspicious browser extensions:

• Safari: Go to Settings > Apps > Safari > Extensions. Tap on the suspicious extension and uncheck Allow Extension.

✅ Clear your browser cookies, cache, and other data

As you browse the web, your device accumulates tracking cookies, data, and scripts stored in its cache and memory. This buildup can result in unwanted targeted ads, alerts, and pop-ups.

How to clear your browser cookies, cache, and other data:

• Safari: Go to Settings > Apps > Safari and tap Clear History and Website Data.
• Google Chrome: Click the three-dot icon, then scroll down and tap Delete browsing data.

✅ Block pop-ups in your browser

Blocking pop-ups can prevent many scam attempts. Here is how to do it:

• Safari: Go to Settings > Apps > Safari and ensure the Block Pop-ups option is enabled.
• Google Chrome: Click on the three-dot icon, then Settings > Content settings and ensure the Block pop-ups option is enabled.

✅ Report the fake security alert

If you come across phishing attempts or a fake Apple security alert, reporting them can help Apple and others avoid these scams. Here’s how to report these incidents to Apple:

Report phishing attempts

If you receive a suspicious email or message that appears to be a phishing attempt, forward it to [email protected]. Do not alter the message when forwarding it; this helps Apple investigate the source.

Report suspicious emails

If you receive an email that appears to be from Apple but seems suspicious, forward it to [email protected].

✅ Perform a factory reset as a last resort

If the above steps do not resolve the issue and fake alerts continue to appear, consider performing a factory reset on your device.

A factory reset will erase all data and restore the device to its original settings. Before doing this, make sure to back up your important data.

Here’s how to reset your iPhone:

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
2. Scroll down and tap on General.
3. At the bottom of the General settings, tap Transfer or Reset iPhone.
4. Tap on Erase All Content and Settings.
5. If prompted, enter your iPhone’s passcode.
6. You’ll see a warning message. Tap on Erase iPhone to confirm.

How to Protect Your iPhone from Scammers and Criminals

Taking proactive steps to secure your iPhone can greatly reduce the chances of encountering scams and other online threats.

These simple precautions can go a long way in keeping your device and data safe:

🛡️ Beware of the apps you download

Only download apps from the official App Store. Apple rigorously reviews apps for security and quality, minimizing the chances of encountering malicious software.

🛡️ Strengthen iCloud security settings

In iOS 16, Apple added the option to encrypt your data stored in iCloud. This means that it can only ever be accessed by one of your trusted Apple devices. This keeps your data protected even if a scammer finds out your password.

Here’s how to enable Advanced Data Protection on your iPhone:

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
2. At the top of the screen, tap on your name (Apple ID).
3. Select iCloud from the menu.
4. Scroll down to the bottom and tap on Advanced Data Protection.
5. Tap on the toggle to turn on Advanced Data Protection.
6. If you haven’t set up account recovery, you’ll be prompted to do so. Choose either a recovery contact or a recovery key and follow the instructions to complete the process.

🛡️ Set up auto-updates

Enable automatic updates for both your operating system (iOS) and apps. These updates often include critical security patches that protect your device from new threats.

You can enable automatic updates in Settings > General > Software Update > Automatic Updates.

🛡️ Make regular backups

Back up your iPhone data regularly to iCloud or a computer. In the event of a compromise, you can restore your device to a clean backup without losing important information.

🛡️ Use strong passwords and two-factor authentication

Use strong, unique passwords for your Apple ID and other vital accounts. Enable two-factor authentication for an extra layer of security, making it significantly harder for scammers to gain unauthorized access.

🛡️ Stay vigilant

Stay alert for phishing scams. Be wary of unsolicited messages, suspicious links, and urgent requests for personal information. Remember, Apple will never ask for sensitive details through email or texts.

🛡️ Be cautious with links

Avoid clicking on unknown links or downloading files or attachments. If you receive a suspicious link, hover over it or tap and hold to preview the destination before clicking.

🛡️ Uninstall suspicious apps

A fake Apple security warning can cause you to download dangerous apps. That is why it is important to check your device for suspicious apps regularly.

Here’s how to uninstall suspicious apps:

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
2. Tap General > iPhone Storage.
3. Scroll through the list of installed apps on your device.
4. To uninstall an app, tap on it and select Delete App.

Final Thoughts

Staying safe from fake security alerts is all about being vigilant and informed.

While it can be alarming to see pop-ups and messages claiming that your device is at risk, remember that most of these are just criminals trying to trick you with an Apple security alert scam.

The key takeaway? If something seems off, trust your instincts and avoid interacting with it. To keep your device even more secure, download Certo AntiSpy to scan for potential security threats and protect your personal information.